Garner - "two or three more"

Ben Garner has told the South London Press that he wants to add another "two or three" signings before the transfer window closes on 1st September. He wouldn't be drawn on positions that need strengthening because "as soon as you say a position then prices or wages can go up." He then says he is "hoping to get two in, if not three."

More than a little disingenuous here, because it's glaringly obvious that we are woefully short upfront, wide midfield and left-sided defence. The idea that prospective players and agents will only negotiate hard if they think they are not needed is laughable. Based on our recruitment policy so far this Summer, Garner is dreaming if he thinks Sandgaard is buying anyone. We are likely to bring in a couple of loanees from 'bigger' clubs but they will likely be young squad players at best and a gamble.

Sorry to say but this squad looks at least four or five experienced first-team signings from one that can expect to challenge for promotion this season and it looks very much like that is not going to change. Four-Four-Two mag has predicted an 11th place finish for us this season and I think that looks about right as long as Garner shows an ability to make effective tactical changes and substitutions which Jackson couldn't. I think we have as much, if not more chance, of finishing lower than 11th than higher.

I feel pretty despondent at the moment and the match-by-match pricing hasn't helped. I will be on holiday for the opener and my first live game will be Welling's home match against Worthing on 13th August. I may take the Cambridge home game in to 'see for myself' although I will hope to see the first two via the internet. 

Very hard not to draw the conclusion that Sandgaard's ambition (if he really had any initially) has gone and that his primary focus now is on cost-cutting, maintaining the status quo and, presumably, preparing the club for a sale. There has been no mention of late on Academy One status in spite of the works completed at Sparrows Lane and I find myself reflecting on Jed Roddy's decision to abandon ship at a time when we had been lead to believe we were close to being awarded it. Is this now up there with the hollow boast of Premiership in five years?

It really does look like any success this season may be based on Garner's managerial skills and/or Miles Leaburn proving that he can quickly make the first-team transition and score the sort of goals we won't see from Aneke, Stockley or Davison. I don't buy the rumours of the club refusing offers for Davison, unless they are so paltry we couldn't afford even a cheap replacement with the money.

I really hope I am wrong but 45 years of following this club tells me we are in for another 'nothing season' in the third tier of English football. We have lived happily enough with that in the past in the old First Division/Championship (where we belong) and were blessed to have spent the best part of ten years punching above our weight in the Premier League. Settling for it in League One though would be a new low. We have bounced back three times before after very short stays but it now feels like that's good enough under Sandgaard. If we are still in League One come May, we will be facing our sixth year here in seven.

Who remembers when we were 'sleeping giants?'